LEWISTON – Members of area veterans organizations gathered at the Trinity Episcopal Church recently to conduct memorial services commemorating the 109th anniversary of the sinking of the battleship USS Maine in Havana Harbor, Cuba, on Feb. 15, 1898.

The service opened with an invocation by the Rev. Ben Barnes, interim rector at the church. Jerry DerBoghosian, chaplain, Longley-Dionne Post 9150, Veterans of Foreign Wars, read a list of events leading up to the explosion and sinking of the U.S.S. Maine. Only 85 of the Maine’s crew could be accounted for; 265 were dead and missing. Seven members of the crew were from Maine.

State Sen. Peggy Rotundo and State Rep. Margaret Craven addressed those assembled and patriotic songs were sung followed by the benediction, given by Barnes.